National Radio Midday Bulletin

America’s Cupx2 - PM'S Meeting - Defence Head - Mozambique Floods - Birth In Tree - Manurewa Teenagers Charged - Medical Association - Prison Drills - Craters Closed - Art Competition - Viva Prada

AMERICA’S CUP: What could be the last race in the America’s Cup will start in under an hour in the Hauraki Gulf. Skipper Russell Coutts has made a decision to take the day off. The wind is forecast to be blowing at 15 knots.

AMERICA’S CUP: Some visitors to the viaduct basin have traveled a long way to see the race.

PMs MEETING: The first formal Prime Minster’s meeting between Australia and New Zealand has begun today with John Howard likely to bring up the issue of New Zealanders paying the cost for NZ citizens on the dole in Australia. Helen Clark will also brief the Australians on New Zealand’s decision to pull out of the F16 deal.

DEFENCE HEAD: The head of the Defence Ministry is endorsing the Prime Minister’s stand on the New Zealand’s defence relationship with Australia after she was criticsed in a Australian newspaper.

MOZAMBIQUE FLOODS: Western doners are now pouring aid into the flood-ravaged country of Mozambique, after controversy as to whether first world nations acted fast enough to save the thousands trapped by the rising waters.

BIRTH IN TREE: A Mozambique woman who gave birth to a tree after being trapped above flood waters for three days was given widespread international coverage by the world media.

MANUREWA TEENAGERS CHARGED: Two Manurewa teenagers have appeared in court this morning on abduction and rape charges of a south-Auckland woman.

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: New Zealand medical Association says nurses should not have the rights to proscribe medicines after the Health Minister suggested a widening of nurses roles.

PRISON DRILLS: The fire service is concerned that Mt Eden prison has not held an emmergency evacuation drill for more than two years.

CRATERS CLOSED: The “craters of the moon”, a popular viewing area in the Taupo mud pools has been closed because of a large and dangerous eruption.

ART COMPETITION: An international arts competition launcbed today allows young children to draw their way into the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

VIVA PRADA: There is quiet optimism from the Prada supports in what could be the final race of the America’s Cup in the Cup Village. There are also a number of New Zealander who say they support the underdog.

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